The coolest new vehicle in Christopher Nolan's new Batman film is probably the new Batplane, which has been renamed simply the Bat. That's the vehicle that Batman tells Catwoman is not a car, just before he takes to the skies and dodges two missiles, in some of the recent Dark Knight Rises trailers — and here's some concept art of it. Nice to see it maneuvering in a tight alley, with two cop cars in pursuit.

Here's one more piece of concept art, showing the features of the Bat — including dual-anchored machine guns, strictly as a deterrent. Those machine guns are purely to freak people out — Batman is not going to be machine-gunning people in the streets — he's over that phase now. Oh, and an EMP cannon, to take out all electronics, which you just never know when you'll need one of those.

In 2005, filmmaker Christopher Nolan redefined Batman for a new generation with Batman Begins, followed in 2008 by The Dark Knight, and now 2012's conclusion to the trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. Here, for the first time, is an in-world exploration of Christopher Nolan's Batman: The Dark Knight Manual, the definitive guide to his tools, vehicles, and technologies.

Following the destruction of Wayne Manor, Bruce Wayne began to assemble key sketches, diagrams, observations, and other top-secret documents germane to becoming Batman; he then entrusted this manual to his faithful butler, Alfred. Every defining moment is detailed here, charting Wayne's collaborations with Lucius Fox at Wayne Enterprises on the latest cutting-edge technology.

Featuring removable documents, including the design and capability of the famed utility belt, the hi-tech functions of Batman's cowl, and every detail of his amazing arsenal of weapons and gadgets, The Dark Knight Manual reveals how Bruce Wayne operates as Gotham's greatest protector.